Introduce the symbols. Draw a '=' on the board and tell the students that this symbol means that both sides must be the same. Draw a "+" and tell children that this means 'keep on counting.' Start with 1 + 1 = 2. Go through the symbols with the children by saying "We have one, then 'keep on counting', then one more." Get the children to hold up two fingers and then count them. Ask them how many fingers they have counted. Check with the equation, "We have one, we keep on counting, we have one more, which is equal to two."
Provide each child with a number line. If possible, laminate the number line and stick it to each child's desk. Regularly ask the children to count up the number line with you, so they are constantly being exposed to numbers and what order they come in.
Use counters. Provide each child with 10 counters, which can be anything from dice to lego blocks. Encourage the children to use their counting skills to learn addition. For example, write the number two on the board and ask each child to separate two counters. Then ask them to separate two more. Ask them to count all of the counters and write on the board the calculation that they have just done: 2 + 2 = 4. Repeat this with other calculations.
Play addition games. A popular one is to draw an octopus on the board and say that he is cold. Write some sums on the board, such as 2 + 4, then ask a child to come and help the octopus put his shoes on. They can colour in two, then colour in four and count them up. Ask them to write the number at the end of the calculation, so it says 2 + 4 = 6. Repeat this with the class. This type of game will capture the children's attention while still teaching them.
Play addition bingo. To start with, use a few easy sums and a low number of squares. For example, your first boards might have four squares, with 1 + 1, 1 + 2, 2 + 2 and 3 + 1 in them. Call out a number as you would normally and give the children chance to see if they have the number that is the answer to the sum. You might like to provide items to help the children with this, such as their number lines or counters.